Did you happen to catch the exciting news I shared a couple of weeks ago about celebrity chef and Chopped judge Maneet Chauhan opening a restaurant in Nashville? If you didn’t, click that link now and read all about it. No doubt it my mind that it’s going to be awesome with a capital A.

Seriously you guys. If I’m not careful, this post could turn out to be the longest one in the history of my blog because I have SO MUCH I want to say. I promise I’ll try to keep the gushing under control.

Maybe I should start by telling you that I’m a huge fan of Chopped. You’d think because I am just a tab bit obsessed with food that I watch a lot of food-related television, but that’s actually not the case. Sure, I haven’t yet missed a season of Top Chef, but other than that, the only culinary entertainment that can keep me in my seat for hours on end is Chopped. (Side note: the show is currently casting in Nashville if you’re interested in trying out.)

So the fact that I got to talk on the phone with Maneet, one of my favorite judges from Chopped, is pretty darn cool. After my gazillion questions about the show, the new restaurant, and what she really thinks about Nashville (“people are so nice” and “it was love at first sight!”), we moved on to the topic that was really the whole reason behind our call, her soon-to-be-released cookbook, Flavors of My World. I should probably note that a couple of weeks before I spoke with Maneet, I actually talked to Doug Singer, her co-author, as he’s the one that reached out to me via email regarding their upcoming book tour. He’s awesome. It may be hard to tell much about a person over the phone (or maybe it’s not? maybe it’s better to only hear their voice kind of like The Voice?), but within the first few seconds of talking, I liked him.

Apparently Maneet felt the same way when she first met him, because when I asked how they ended up working together on this project, she said she just happened to meet Doug at a celebrity chef event, and they just “clicked”. A while later, she told him about the cookbook idea she’d had floating around in her head, but she wanted someone to help her write it…and the rest is history. She cooked. He wrote. And now their cookbook is about to hit the stores and they’re embarking on a 21-city book tour. Which does, in fact, include Music City.

Flavors of My World: A Culinary Tour Through 25 Countries is…. more than I can put into words. It’s interesting, it’s beautiful, it’s fascinating, it’s unique. And it is full of not only incredible food, but also cocktails. Lots and lots of cocktails! Yes, this is certainly my kind of book.

From the sake based Geisha Kamasutra shown above to the Spicy Coconut Ouzo – a Greek inspired drink with coconut milk, ginger, serrano chile, lime and ouzo- I’m feeling the need to host an Around the World party and make every. single. one.

I’ll attempt to explain the concept of Flavors of My World. Think global fusion cuisine. There are 25 different countries represented, each with a personal story, and all recipes have been given Maneet’s Indian twist. It’s fun to read, and once I actually make a few of the dishes, I’m certain that I’ll be able to say it makes for delightful eating too!

On my short list: Moroccan tagine chana masala on couscous and Malai chicken hot dogs (a nod to the U.S.).

Seating is limited for what is sure to be an amazing culinary experience. Tickets are $90 per person and include a signed copy of Flavors of My World. The event will begin with a cocktail hour, followed by a four-course meal. Tickets are available by calling 615-800-9712 or by visiting the event ticket site.

Can’t make it to that dinner but still want to meet Maneet and get a cookbook signed? No problem! There’s another opportunity:

What:

Flavors of My World Book Signing

When:

April 24th, 2013
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Where:

Whole Foods
4021 Hillsboro Pike
Nashville 37215

If you aren’t in Nashville, click here for a full list of the tour cities.

And last but not least, if you don’t happen to live in any of the places the tour will hit, or if you just can’t make it out to one of those events, never fear. You’ve got a chance to score one of the cookbooks right here!

That’s right, one of my lucky readers is going to win a copy of Flavors of My World.

~Contest Closed~

Congratulations

#22 Sarah Worley!

All you have to do is this:

Mandatory

1. Leave a comment telling me the best or most interesting ethnic dish you’ve ever eaten. Were you in that country, here in Nashville or some other city in the U.S.? Maybe you even made it yourself at home! Do tell.

Optional

For up to 2 additional entries, you can do either or both of the following. Note: You must leave a separate comment for each optional entry.

3. Like Eat.Drink.Smile. on Facebook and come back and tell me you did so (or just tell me you already do if that’s the case!)

Contest ends on Tuesday, April 23rd at 11 pm CDT. Once the winner is chosen, I’ll make contact via email and post the name here on the blog. If they don’t respond within 48 hours, I’ll be forced to choose another, so be sure to check your email!

42 Responses to “Flavors of My World – Maneet Chauhan Book Tour Coming to Nashville”

Love that she puts her twist on so many different cuisines! I personally cannot *not* order spring rolls [the fried version] at any VIetnamese restaurant I go to, but none can ever top the ones I had when I was in Ho Chi Minh. Served with crisp cold lettuce leaves and pickled daikon, carrots – so simple, but so so very darn delicious.

oh man how can I pick just one ethnic dish? this definitely isn’t the most unique but it’s on my mind lately because I just discovered it…papusas from Las Americas on Nolensville Rd. First of all, if you haven’t been to Las Americas it is my new fav authentic mexican & it’s sooo cheap! The papusas are these ridiculously tasty corn meal pancake like things with melted cheese & meats of your choosing in the middle. So good!

I love Las Americas! Ravi introduced me to it a few years ago when he worked not too far from there. He and a friend used to meet there for lunch like once a week. I haven’t been in a long time… need to change that soon :-)

I know I’m kind of a broken record on this, but I love arepas. I’ve not actually had them in Venezuela, but have had them homemade by someone who grew up there and in an authentic Venezuelan restaurant in NYC.

The most ethnic meal I’ve ever had has to be a full blown authentic paella I had as a child living in Torrejon de Ardoz right outside Madrid, Spain. I’ve never in my young life (at the time) had such an amazing meal loaded with so much surf and turf. Still to this day I smile when thinking about my first paella experience. I actually make it myself now as well inviting over 12-14 friends every couple of months. I bought a paella pan just last summer and it’s been an awesome addition to my kitchen arsenal.

My best friend in high school’s family was from the former Palestine. Her mother made the most delicious, authentic Middle Eastern cuisine at their home right outside of Dickson, TN. My favorites were the kibbeh, dolmas, kefta, and her divine tabbouleh made with all ingredients from her garden. SO good and right here in good ol’ Tennessee!

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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Beth, a food and drink obsessed girl living in beautiful Nashville, Tennessee. I'm always on the hunt for new and exciting things in the culinary world, so I created this blog to share all of my adventures, discoveries, inspirations, and recipes, along with a sprinkling of just about anything else that brings a smile to my face! Follow along and I bet you'll smile too... more